Extensible barrier

ABSTRACT

A barrier including a number of coils, and an inter-coil connector connecting two of the coils. Each of the coils is axially extensible, the coils are in substantially mutually parallel alignment, and each of the coils is in substantial direct contact with another one of the coils.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to barriers and, in particular, itconcerns barriers that are easily and quickly erected and offer highsecurity features.

Of most relevance to the present invention is a barrier described inU.S. Pat. No. 4,744,708 to Cochraine, wherein the barrier is extensiblydeployed from a vehicle, and which includes at least three coils ofbarbed tape supported and spaced from one another with an upper coillocated above two lower coils. The coils are spaced apart parallel toone another, and are supported by transverse rods located along therespective lengths of the coils.

A shortcoming of the aforementioned system is due to the barrierstructure being connected and supported using transverse rods. Thismakes the structure relatively expensive and time consuming to produce.The weight of the rods also adds additional compressional stress to thestructure that may limit the height of the structure. In addition, therods may limit transportability due to their weight as well as reducingcompressibility of the coils due to their bulk.

A further shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the barrieris essentially supported along the axis of the coils by the tension ofthe coils themselves. This can lead to a weakening of the entirestructure.

Another shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the barrier isnot anchored to the ground. Although this means that the barrier can beremoved quickly by the installers, it also means that security iscompromised when the barrier is in use.

A further shortcoming of the aforementioned system is the non-inclusionof additional security detection features.

There is therefore a need for a barrier, which is easy and cheap toconstruct easy to deploy, robust and provides high security featuressuch as anchoring and security detection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a barrier construction and method of deploymentthereof.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided abarrier comprising: (a) a plurality of coils; each of the coils beingaxially extensible; the coils being in substantially mutually parallelalignment; and each of the coils being in substantial direct contactwith another of the coils; and (b) an inter-coil connector connectingtwo of the coils.

According to a further feature of the present invention the coils form amulti-layered structure, where the coils comprising a first coildisposed in a lower layer of the structure, and a second coil disposedin an upper layer thereof, the first coil at least partially supportingthe second coil.

According to a further feature of the present invention themulti-layered structure comprises three layers, wherein: (a) a bottomlayer comprising three of the coils; (b) a middle layer comprising twoof the coils where each of the therein rests on two of the coils of thebottom layer; and (c) a top layer comprising one of the coils where theone coil of the top layer rests upon the two coils of the middle layer.

According to a further feature of the present invention a portion of thecoils comprises barbs.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided a winding connector that connects adjacent loops of one of thecoils.

According to a further feature of the present invention the inter-coilconnector attaches to adjacent loops of one of the coils.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided a restraining element that is affixed to one of the coils.

According to a further feature of the present invention the restrainingelement is affixed to the one coil at a plurality of locations thereon.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided a restraining connector, wherein the restraining connectorconnects the restraining element to adjacent loops of the one coil.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided a restraining element wherein the winding connector connectsthe restraining element to the adjacent loops of the one coil.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided a restraining element wherein the inter-coil connector connectsthe restraining element to adjacent loops of one of the coils.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided a first restraining peg connected to a first end of therestraining element, and a second restraining peg connected to a secondend thereof.

According to a further feature of the present invention the restrainingelement is a cable.

According to a further feature of the present invention the restrainingelement comprises a first restraining element and a second restrainingelement, the first restraining element and the second restrainingelement being affixed to the coils on opposing outer sides of a bottomlayer of the barrier.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided an anchoring member that passes through one of the coils.

According to a further feature of the present invention the anchoringmember passes through the one coil and the one coil is disposed in abottom layer of the barrier.

According to a further feature of the present invention the anchoringmember is a cable.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided a first anchoring peg connected to a first end of the anchoringmember, and a second anchoring peg connected to a second end thereof.

According to a further feature of the present invention there isprovided a security detection element that is aligned substantiallyparallel to windings of one of the coils.

According to a further feature of the present invention the securitydetection element is flexible.

According to a further feature of the present invention the securitydetection element is an optical communications element.

According to a further feature of the present invention the securitydetection element is an insulated electrical conductor.

According to a further feature of the present invention there isprovided an outer core that surrounds the security detection element.

According to a further feature of the present invention the outer coreforms a body of the windings of the one coil.

According to a further feature of the present invention the outer coreis formed from twisted wires.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the presentinvention a method for constructing a barrier comprising the steps of:(a) disposing a plurality of coils in a substantially mutually parallelalignment in proximity to one another; (b) inter-connecting two of thecoils; (e) axially extending the coils to form an extended barrier; and(d) securing the extended barrier to a substrate.

According to a further feature of the present invention the step ofdisposing the coils is performed by: (a) arranging the coils in amulti-layered structure, where the coils comprise a first coil disposedin a lower layer of the structure, and a second coil disposed in anupper layer thereof; and (b) supporting the second coil by the firstcoil.

According to a further feature of the present invention the step ofarranging the coils in the multi-layered structure is performed by: (a)arranging three of the coils in a bottom layer; (b) arranging two of thecoils in a middle layer (c) resting each of the two coils on to of thethree coils; and (d) resting one of the coils upon the two coils todefine a top layer.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided the step of: after performing the step of interconnecting twoof the coils attaching a restraining element to one of the coils.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided the step of: prior to performing the step of axially extendingthe coils, securing the restraining element with a restraining peg tothe substrate.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided the step of: after performing the step of inter-connecting twoof the coils, passing an anchoring member through one of the coils.

According to a further feature of the present invention there is alsoprovided the step of: prior to performing the step of axially extendingthe coils, securing the anchoring member with an anchoring peg to thesubstrate.

According to a further feature of the present invention the step ofaxially extending the coils is performed by a mode of conveyance.

According to a further feature of the present invention the step ofaxially extending the coils further comprises the step of supporting oneof the coils on an elongated support.

According to a further feature of the present invention the step ofsecuring the extended barrier to the substrate is performed by securingthe restraining element with a restraining peg to the substrate.

According to a further feature of the present invention the step ofsecuring the extended barrier to the substrate is performed by securingthe anchoring member with an anchoring peg to the substrate.

According to a further feature of the present invention the step ofsecuring the extended barrier to the substrate is performed by securingthe anchoring member with an anchoring peg to the substrate at aplurality of locations.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the presentinvention a wire for use in constricting barriers comprising: (a) asecurity detection element; (b) an outer core, wherein the securitydetection element is surrounded by the outer core; and (c) a pluralityof barbs, wherein at least a portion of the outer core has the barbsattached thereon.

According to a further feature of the present invention the securitydetection element is flexible.

According to a further feature of the present invention the securitydetection element is an optical communications element.

According to a further feature of the present invention the securitydetection element is an insulated electrical conductor

According to a further feature of the present invention the outer coreis formed from twisted wires.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a barrier that is constructedand operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a barbed cable used in thebarrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of an expanded coil that is used inthe barrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the barrier shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of a cable used in the barrier ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the region indicated by the letter A inFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of a security detection elementinstalled within a cable for use in the barrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the barrier during deployment inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a barrier secured to a substrate inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a barrier construction and method of deploymentthereof.

The principles and operation of the barrier according to the presentinvention may be better understood with reference to the drawings andthe accompanying description.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a transverse sectional view ofthe barrier 10 that is constructed and operable in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention. The barrier 10 is composed of sixcoils 20 that are each axially extensible. The preferred diameter of thecoils is within the range 45 cm to 150 cm. The coils 20 are disposed sothat they are in substantially mutually parallel alignment and each coil20 is in substantially direct contact with adjacent coils 20. The coils20 are disposed to form a multi-layered structure 30 composed of threelayers 40, 50, 60; a bottom layer 40 composed of three coils 20 and amiddle layer 50 composed of two coils 20 and a top layer 60 composed ofone coil 20. The coil 20 of the top layer 60 is supported by the twocoils 20 of the middle layer 50 and the two coils 20 of the middle layer50 are each supported by two coils 20 of the bottom layer 40. Inter-coilconnectors 70 connect adjacent coils 20 at a plurality of points alongthe coils 20 where the coils meet tangentially. The inter-coilconnectors 70 preferably connect adjacent coils 20 at every winding (notshown) of the coils 20 where the coils 20 meet tangentially. Theinter-coil connectors 70 are typically metal clips or steel wire.

The term substantially direct contact stated above is defined as meaningthat there is no significant spacing between the coils 20 due to theintroduction of the inter-coil connectors 70. Contact between the coils20 is not in itself essential, but substantially direct contact enablesthe use of more cost-effective inter-coil connectors 70, cheaper andquicker construction and provides a more secure structure for thebarrier 10.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a longitudinal sectional viewof a barbed wire 80 used in the barrier 10 that is constructed andoperable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.Galvanized barbs 85 are clipped around a wire 90 before the barbed wire80 is formed into the coil 20. The preferred width of the barbed wire 80is within the range 10 mm to 30 mm. The preferred distance between thecenter of each barb is 25.4 mm, according to industry standards.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is an enlarged partial view 100of an expanded coil 20 that is constructed and operable in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the invention. Adjacent loops 120 of thecoils 20 are connected using winding connectors 110. Typically fivewinding connectors 110 are used in one loop 120 of the coil 20. Thewinding connectors 110 are typically metal clips with a preferredthickness within the range 1 mm to 2 mm. The use of the windingconnectors 110 results in an expanded coil 20, which displays a lattice,effect as shown in FIG. 3. The lattice effect results in a denserbarrier that can enhance security.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a perspective view of thebarrier 10 that is constricted and operable in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention. A restraining element 130 iscomposed of a first restraining element 135 and a second restrainingelement 140. The securing of the restraining element 130 and its purposewithin the barrier 10 construction is explained in farther detail inreference to FIG. 9.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a transverse sectional view ofa cable 141 that is constructed and operable in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention. Each restraining element 130 istypically formed of the cable 141. The cable 141 is composed of sixtwisted strands 142. The six twisted strands 142 are typically made oftensile steel. The preferred diameter of the cable 141 is within therange 4 mm to 8 mm.

Reference is again made to FIG. 4. The first restraining element 135 andthe second restraining element 140 are each affixed to the coils 20 onopposing outer sides of the bottom layer 40 of the barrier 10. Thepreferred positioning of the restraining element 130 is approximately ata height from a base 143 of the barrier 10 equal to between 30% and 50%of the diameter of one coil 20. A reason for the preferred positioningof the restraining element 130 is to prevent the restraining element 130from damaging the barrier 10 when the barrier 10 is attached to asubstrate 150. The restraining clement 130 is affixed to alternate loops120 of the coil 20 using restraining clips 145. The restraining clips145 are typically wire rope clips or steel staples. A pneumatic staplegun (not shown) typically dispenses the steel staples.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is an enlarged view of the regionindicated by a letter A in FIG. 4 showing the attachment of therestraining element 130 to the coil 20. The restraining element 130 isaffixed to alternate loops 120 using restraining clips 145 at a positionon the loops 120 adjacent to winding connectors 110. Each restrainingclip 145 thereby affixes the restraining element 130 to two loops 120.The length of the restraining element 130 between two of the restrainingclips 145 is dimensioned to prevent the expanded coil 20 from beingover-stretched and to ensure that the expanded coil 20 is expanded tothe optimal expansion required. The restraining element 130 extends fromeach end of the coil 20 to facilitate attachment of an end of therestraining element 130 to the substrate 150. The substrate is typicallya base or the ground. Typically, the restraining element 130 ispositioned to prevent the expanded coil 20 from attaining more thanbetween 50% and 90% (most preferred two thirds) of its fully expandedlength. The fully expanded length is defined as the maximum extension ofthe barrier 10 without risking damage to the barrier 10.

Reference is again made to FIG. 1. An anchoring member 160 passesthrough a middle coil 20 of the bottom layer 40 of the barrier 10. Thesecuring of the anchoring member 160 and its purpose within the barrier10 construction is explained in further detail in reference to FIG. 9.The anchoring member 160 is typically formed of twisted metal cable witha preferred diameter within the range 6 mm to 12 mm. The anchoringmember 160 extends from each end of the coil 20 to facilitate attachmentof an end of the anchoring member 160 to the substrate 150.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a transverse sectional view ofa security detection element 165 installed within a cable 167 for use inthe barrier 10 that is constructed and operable in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention. The security detection element165 can be installed in one or more of the coils 20 to detectionintrusion when the security detection clement 165 is severed. Typicallyit is sufficient to install the security detection element 165 in one ofthe coils 20. According to a most preferred embodiment of the inventionthe security element 165 is installed in the coil 20 of the top layer 60of the barrier 10 (FIG. 1). The cable 167 forms the body of the windings120 of the coils 20. The cable 167 is typically composed of six twistedwires 168. The security detection element 165 can be an electricalconductor 170 surrounded by an insulating sheath 175. The securitydetection element 165 can also be realized as an optical communicationselement (not shown).

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a perspective view of thebarrier 10 during deployment in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the invention. Prior to deployment, the barrier 10 is compressedlongitudinally to form a compressed barrier 180. The compressed barrier180 is placed on a vehicle 200 with the axis of the coils 20 beingsubstantially parallel to the sides 210 of the vehicle 200. Thecompressed barrier 180 is supported on the vehicle 200 using a supportelement (not shown). A suitable vehicle and support element for thevehicle 200 and the support element (not shown) are disclosed in theabove-noted U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,708. A portion of the compressed barrier130 180 is removed from the back of the vehicle 200 and it is extendedto form an extended barrier 190. The ends of the restraining elements135, 140 that extend from the end of the extended barrier 190, aresecured to the substrate 150 using pegs 220. The end of the anchoringmember 160 that extends from the end of the extended barrier 190, issecured to the substrate 150 using one of the pegs 220. The remainingportion of the compressed barrier 180 is extended by driving the vehicle200 in a direction away from the extended barrier 190.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a perspective view of abarrier secured to a substrate in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the invention. The unsecured end 230 of the extended barrier 190 ispartly secured by pulling taut the restraining element elements 135, 140in an opposing direction substantially parallel to the extended barrier190. The taut restraining element elements 135, 140 is are secured tothe substrate 150 using the peg 220. The secured restraining elementelements 135, 140 supports support the extended barrier 190 ensuringthat the tensile stress of the barrier 10 is mainly borne by therestraining element elements 135, 140. If the extended barrier 190becomes dislodged from its position or disfigured, the restrainingelement elements 135, 140 can also be used to reposition or reinstatethe extended barrier 190. The unsecured end 230 of the extended barrier190 is further secured by pulling taut the anchoring member 160 in anopposing direction substantially parallel to the extended barrier 190.The taut anchoring member 160 is secured to the substrate 150 using oneof the pegs 220. The secured anchoring member 160 helps prevent verticaland transverse movement of the extended barrier 190.

In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the invention, theanchoring member 160 can be further secured to the substrate 150 it oneor more locations along the length of the anchoring member 160 using oneof the pegs 220. Most preferably, the pegs 220 are spaced apart withinthe range 3 to 7 meters, although the spacing may be significantlygreater than this depending upon the terrain and the level of securityrequired. This further securing of the anchoring member 160 furtherprevents vertical and transverse movement of the extended barrier 190.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present inventionincludes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various featuresdescribed hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereofthat are not in the prior art which would occur to persons skilled inthe art upon reading the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A An extensible barrier in an axially compressedstate for deployment from a vehicle, the barrier comprising: (a) aplurality of coils, (i) each of said coils being axially extensible,(ii) said coils being in substantially mutually parallel alignment, and(iii) each of said coils being adjacent to, and in substantial directcontact with, another of said coils; and (b) an inter-coil connectorconnecting two of said coils, wherein said plurality of coils areaxially compressed and supported so as to allow progressive deploymentof the extensible barrier from a moving vehicle.
 2. The barrieraccording to claim 1 wherein said coils form a multi-layered structure,said coils comprising a first coil disposed in a lower layer of saidstructure, and a second coil disposed in an upper layer thereof, saidfirst coil at least partially supporting said second coil.
 3. Thebarrier according to claim 1 wherein said coils form a multi-layeredstructure having a bottom layer, a middle layer and a top layer,wherein: (a) said bottom layer includes three of said coils; (b) saidmiddle layer includes two of said coils, each of said two coils of saidmiddle layer rests on two of said coils of said bottom layer; and (c)said top layer includes one of said coils, said one coil of said toplayer rests upon said two coils of said middle layer.
 4. The barrieraccording to claim 1 wherein a portion of said coils comprises barbs. 5.The barrier according to claim 1 further comprising a winding connectorthat connects adjacent loops of one of said coils.
 6. The barrieraccording to claim 1, wherein said inter-coil connector attaches toadjacent loops of one of said coils.
 7. The barrier according to claim 1further comprising a restraining element that is affixed to one of saidcoils.
 8. The barrier according to claim 7 wherein said restrainingelement is affixed to said one coil at a plurality of locations thereon.9. The barrier according to claim 7 further comprising a restrainingconnector, wherein said restraining connector connects said restrainingelement to adjacent loops of said one coil.
 10. The barrier according toclaim 5 further comprising a restraining element wherein said windingconnector connects said restraining element to said adjacent loops ofsaid one coil.
 11. The barrier according to claim 1 further comprising arestraining element wherein said inter-coil connector connects saidrestraining element to adjacent loops of one of said coils.
 12. Thebarrier according to claim 7 further comprising a first restraining pegconnected to a first end of said restraining element, and a secondrestraining peg connected to a second end thereof.
 13. The barrieraccording to claim 7 wherein said restraining element is a cable. 14.The barrier according to claim 7 wherein said restraining elementcomprises a first restraining element and a second restraining element,said first restraining element and said second restraining element beingaffixed to said coils on opposing outer sides of a bottom layer of saidbarrier.
 15. The barrier according to claim 1 further comprising ananchoring member that passes through one of said coils.
 16. The barrieraccording to claim 15 wherein said anchoring member passes through saidone coil and said one coil is disposed in a bottom layer of saidbarrier.
 17. The barrier according to claim 15 wherein said anchoringmember is a cable.
 18. The barrier according to claim 15 furthercomprising a first anchoring peg connected to a first end of saidanchoring member, and a second anchoring peg connected to a second endthereof.
 19. The barrier according to claim 1 further comprising asecurity detection element that is aligned substantially parallel towindings of one of said coils.
 20. The barrier according to claim 19wherein said security detection element is flexible.
 21. The barrieraccording to claim 19 wherein said security detection element is anoptical communications element.
 22. The barrier according to claim 19wherein said security detection element is an insulated electricalconductor.
 23. The barrier according to claim 19 further comprising anouter core that surrounds said security detection element.
 24. Thebarrier according to claim 23 wherein said outer core forms a body ofsaid windings of said one coil.
 25. The barrier according to claim 24wherein said outer core is formed from twisted wires.